SYMPTOMS OF FAITH

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Faith is anchored on hope. Here is some understanding of hope.

i. To anticipate good or salvation with pleasure. 

ii. Confident expectation of good or salvation. 

iii. The author of hope, or he who is the foundation of it. 

iv. A promise given by the author of your hope. 

v. The thing that is hoped for. The vision in your heart.

Hope is a picture (dream or vision) of a good and expected end. God gives us supernatural, living hope through the knowledge of His word or promises. God fills us with hope, he injects his promise into our hearts, by his Spirit. Joy and peace within confirm to us that we believe in hope. Joy and peace are independent of circumstances. They are the two symptoms of faith.

ABOUNDING IN HOPE

Righteousness defines a believer. For with the heart man BELIEVES unto RIGHTEOUSNESS¹. 

By the power of the Holy Spirit or the word of God, a believer can overflow in hope and be full of joy and peace, even in the midst of unpleasant circumstances. By then the kingdom of God is working in and for such a believer. 

"For the KINGDOM OF GOD is not meat and drink; but RIGHTEOUSNESS, and PEACE, and JOY in the HOLY GHOST." (Romans 14:17).

"Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU." (Luke 17:21).

Joy and peace are the symptoms of believing God; they are hidden forces that drive faith. If you lose your joy or peace on any issue, you have lost your faith on that issue. It is with joy and peace that you can enter into the fulfillment of your divine promises². In scripture the joy and peace of believing is called REST³.

  ______________

¹ Romans 10:10

² Isaiah 55:11-13

³ Hebrews 4:3

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